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October 31, 2007

An article in last week's Miscellany News has sparked some recent controversy.

The article, "Arboretum status: Trees well and blooming" announced plans for "definite landscape changes" to commence in Spring 2008. Vassar plans to COMPLETELY REMOVE THE FENCE separating the campus from Collegeview Ave. In addition, around sixty trees will have to be cut down.

The removal of the fence and trees is in an effort to "provide a 'pleasant transition from Vassar into the business district,'" according to a rep for Buildings and Grounds.

Not only is that a mess of trees being removed, but making the campus even MORE open?

This was only mentioned in a small paragraph, but we have a feeling this will become a bigger issue early next year.

Read the article for yourself:http://misc.vassar.edu/archives/2007/10/arboretum_statu.html

15 comments:

Concerned Student
said...

more open?there are so many creepers on campus already!Saturday night some 30 yr old guy was trying to get into Jewett, waiting in the parking lot for someone to walk by.keep the fences and add more securtiy!

Keep in mind the symbolism that fences and walls carry. They make Vassar appear to be a closed off, elite community. And, let's face it, a crappy little fence won't keep sketchy people off our campus anyway. I think we gain more in public relations than we lose in security. If we really want to gentrify the Poughkeepsie area, build local businesses, and spread the good will of Vassar, tearing down walls is a smart way to start, thinking long term.

"Keep in mind the symbolism that fences and walls carry. They make Vassar appear to be a closed off, elite community."

Exactly. It may not provide any "real" security, but it's a clear "stay the eff off our campus." Tearing down the fence isn't socially responsible, it's STUPID. Newsflash, the area around campus is DANGEROUS. There are gangs. There are fights. People get stabbed and murdered at gas stations. Walk down to the Dunkin Donuts or Sunoco after dark and then tell me you don't want fences around our campus.

As for PR? Who cares if townies don't like us and think we're elitist! They don't pay tuition.

Colleges that do not have fences or walls: Swarthmore, Wesleyan, Oberlin, Amherst, Bard...

These gangs that you seem so afraid of: if they want to come on to our campus, they will, fence or not. But as for the other 95% of Poughkeepsie citizens who are perfectly law abiding and harmless (maybe just not wealthy) they should not feel excluded from Vassar. This is not to say that they shouldn't abide by our Security policies, such as the specific hours when community members can be on campus, but they should not see Vassar as being closed off.

Why?

Vassar wants to build lots of stuff. Who approves that? The Town Boards. Who are on the Town Boards? The very citizens that you want to feel excluded from our campus.

Good community relations are essential to large scale construction projects like the ones Vassar will be taking on in the next ten years: a huge science complex, four dormitories, etc...

keep the fences! I agree with the first post--too many creepers on campus! What about that weirdo who was grabbing girls butts a few weeks back? We def need stricter security measures--ie more security guards watching the entrances. I think vassar needs to put the safety of its students first instead of appeasing elected officials so they can expand campus.

A lot of kids here need to quit worrying about being so PC, put down their social science books and open their eyes. The nice, law-abiding citizens who want to visit campus for legitimate reasons can and already do. I don't see how tearing down our trees and fences will encourage more citizens to attend lectures, art showings or concerts.

What it will do is fail to delineate Vassar from the shady and violent surrounding area. Do you really think the sketchballs, drug dealers and gang members who hang around 1-2 blocks over are going to obey campus security policies? Do you really want them on our campus?

If the town/city of Poughkeepsie wants Vassar to integrate into the community and patronize local businesses they need to clean up the shit in the surrounding area. 'Nuff said.

I think taking out the trees is stupid, but just because Vassar is a "bubble" and Poughkeepsie is not like your rich white suburb with a Starbucks on every corner isn't a reason to bitch and moan at every possible chance.